AUBURN HILLS >> Fans had to wait an additional two months for actor-turned-rapper Drake to make a Detroit stop on his “Would You Like a Tour” tour, and the superstar did not disappoint a near-capacity crowd crammed into The Palace of Auburn Hills Monday.

After the Detroit-area show was announced in June, it was subsequently postponed “due to an intense rehearsal schedule and technical production requirements.”

The extra time resulted in a visually-stunning penultimate show on the tour’s North American leg, as the Toronto native hovered above the crowd while walking along the arena’s catwalk, which had been lowered to accommodate to the star. He put his acting chops to good use, spending nearly a half-hour thanking at least a hundred fans, whom he addressed via spotlight.

“I know it’s ‘So Cold in the D’, but you’re all the coolest (people) in the world,” he said.

Advertisement

Dressed for the nightclubs of Miami or Los Angeles, Drake stormed onto the stage wearing all-white jeans and an oceanic-themed tank top to his hit “Headlines,” with the audience matching every ounce of energy.

“I was surprised we got to be this close,” she said of her seats, in the first 10 rows to the left of the stage.

Much of the set list was recited in similar order as other stops on the tour, Drake’s second headlining tour, in support of his platinum September release “Nothing Was The Same.”

Detroit native Big Sean joined Drake on stage to close the show with “Started From The Bottom,” his ode to his ascension as a mixtape king which propelled him to superstardom in recent years.

“Detroit is my second home tonight,” Drake said. “I only live four hours away, but I already feel like I’m home.”

Drake did include his half-baked homage to hip hop royalty, “Wu-Tang Forever,” peppering his set with plenty of new material, including “Pound Cake” and “Tuscan Leather.”

The orator seemed to lose no energy as he paced in circles on stage around an inclined track on a 45-degree angle belting out other well-known hits such as “Pop That.”

Fans were treated to a blended set list fusing Drake’s love ballads with other well-known, oftentimes misogynistic choruses he has lent to other artists.

At one point, shortly after removing a woman’s brassiere which had been heaped up to the stage, Drake welcomed on stage an older fan from Windsor, Ontario, whom he serenaded in a manner which produced some jealousy from younger females in the audience.

Oakland University sophomore Haley Huston, 19, purchased tickets to the show after the postponement and was rewarded with the best concert she’s ever attended.

“He recognized a bunch of his fans, and not many people do that,” she said. “I’ve been to quite a few concerts, country, rap, but I’ve never seen anybody do something like that and it really meant something to them.

“He kept everyone on their toes and kept us involved.”

The show, opened by rapper Future and hip hop rocker Miguel, wrapped up just before 11:30 p.m.

“I don’t (care) how much time we (have), we’re in Detroit,” Drake told the audience as he took a breather from a frenetic pace.

“Would You Like A Tour” concludes Wednesday in Philadelphia.

The Palace of Auburn Hills has become a hotbed of hip hop activity, as impresario Kanye West brings his “Yeezus” tour with special guest Kendrick Lamar Thursday and Jay-Z is scheduled to play Jan. 10.

About the Author

Paul Kampe covers the Rochester area for The Oakland Press. He has also worked as online coordinator, a page designer/copy editor and preps sports writer. Reach the author at paul.kampe@oakpress.com
or follow Paul on Twitter: @PaulKampe.